Stereoscopic Imaging System Double Aperture Diaphragm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereoscopic surgical microscopes face challenges in maintaining light intensity for observation, documentation, and simultaneous viewing due to the diversion of light for image information, which affects the quality of stereoscopic imaging and the ability to record pairs of stereoscopic half-images across different spectral ranges.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic imaging system that uses a single common receiving lens system with a double aperture diaphragm and a rotating shutter to alternately record left-hand and right-hand perspectives, allowing for synchronized image capture and electronic recording of stereoscopic half-images, enabling multiple observers without reducing light intensity, and allowing for simultaneous documentation and recording of still and moving images across various spectral ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional stereoscopic surgical microscope uses individual lenses or pairs of lenses with downstream eyepieces for magnification, then stereoscopic imaging is achieved, but the light intensity available for observation is reduced due to branching off image information from the beam path
Solution Approach 1:
The beam path is segmented into a main beam path for direct observation and a separate imaging beam path for documentation and parallel observation. The double aperture diaphragm divides the imaging beam path into two partial beam paths that can be alternately directed to different sensors, enabling multiple observers and documentation simultaneously without compromising the main observation light intensity
Solution Approach 2:
A beam splitter serves as an intermediary element that directs a portion of the light from the main beam path to the imaging beam path. This allows image information to be captured for documentation and parallel observation while the majority of light continues to the eyepieces for direct observation, maintaining high light intensity for the primary user
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating shutter is used to alternately release two partial beam paths for stereoscopic imaging, then pairs of stereoscopic half-images can be recorded, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating shutter is used to periodically alternate between releasing the first and second partial beam paths. This periodic action enables the sequential capture of left and right stereoscopic half-images by the image sensor, creating stereoscopic image pairs while using a single common receiving lens system, thereby simplifying the overall optical configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines both stereoscopic imaging functions into a single common receiving lens system rather than using separate lens systems for each eye. The double aperture diaphragm and rotating shutter work together to direct the appropriate partial beam paths to the sensor, merging multiple functions into one integrated optical path
3Adaptability or versatility
If image information is branched off from the main beam path for documentation purposes, then documentation capability is provided, but the light intensity for main user observation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A beam splitter acts as an intermediary that extracts a small portion of light from the main beam path to create a separate imaging beam path for documentation. The majority of light continues through the main beam path to the eyepieces, ensuring that documentation capability is added without significantly reducing the light intensity available for main user observation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for high-quality, simultaneous observation and documentation of stereoscopic images without reducing light intensity, enabling electronic image stabilization, color highlighting, and the capture of quantitative depth information, providing three-dimensional image data for improved surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating shutter alternately releases two partial beam paths
Implementation Method 2
a double aperture diaphragm delimits two partial beam paths that are offset relative to one another
Implementation Method 3
the image sensor generates a respective set of pixel signals
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a stereoscopic imaging system for generating pairs of stereoscopic half-images, comprising a capturing system with a single electronic image sensor which has an electronic shutter for setting a charge integration time of the image sensor. A corresponding objective has a single imaging beam path with a central optical axis. A double aperture diaphragm which is arranged in the imaging beam path and which comprises two mutually spaced apertures divides the imaging beam path into respective sub-beam paths which differ with respect to the beam path viewing angle of the object. A rotating shutter diaphragm releases one of the two apertures for a specified period of time in a chronologically alternating manner according to a rotational speed and closes the other of the two apertures at least during said period of time. A synchronization and control device synchronizes the charge integration time set by the electronic shutter of the image sensor and the rotational speed of the rotating shutter diaphragm to each other such that the image sensor detects a respective stereoscopic half-image during the aforementioned period of time on the basis of the released sub-beam path.